Hello, Drinor here. I'm happy to publish a new Chapter of The Storm Pirates.
If you want to Read 9 More Chapters Right Now. Search 'Patreon.com/Drinor' on Websearch
The following 9 chapters are already available to Patrons.
Chapter 68, Chapter 69, Chapter 70, Chapter 71, Chapter 72, Chapter 73, Chapter 74, Chapter 75, and Chapter 76are already available for Patrons.
The morning sun crept over Onigashima, casting long shadows across the skull-shaped fortress that dominated the island. Within his personal chambers, Kaido stirred from his slumber, his massive form causing the specially reinforced bed to creak under his weight. The Emperor of the Beasts stretched his muscular arms, his traditional purple and gold kimono slightly disheveled from sleep.
The room around him reflected his status as one of the most powerful pirates in the world. Massive support beams carved from ancient wood stretched overhead, decorated with intricate dragon motifs. Golden braziers cast a warm glow across walls adorned with weapons of conquered enemies and maps of his territory. The air carried the lingering scent of sake from the previous night's festivities.
Kaido rose, adjusting his studded leather belt and securing his massive kanabo at his side. His wild black hair, partially contained in a topknot, framed his scarred face as he made his way to the main hall where his commanders typically gathered for morning reports.
The corridors of Onigashima were already alive with activity. Beast Pirates of various ranks bowed deeply as their leader passed, some trembling slightly in his presence. The wooden floors, polished to a mirror shine, creaked under his heavy footsteps.
In the main hall, his All-Stars and Flying Six were already assembled. King stood stoically in his black leather outfit, his face masked as always, while Queen adjusted his glasses and reviewed some papers. Jack, the youngest of the All-Stars, maintained his usual serious demeanor, his mammoth-like features set in a permanent scowl.
Black Maria caught his eye immediately, her stunning figure accentuated by her elaborate kimono. The intricate patterns of flowers and butterflies on the silk complemented her pale skin and dark hair, which was styled elaborately with ornate pins and combs. She smiled knowingly at Kaido, batting her long eyelashes.
"Good morning, Lord Kaido," she purred, her voice carrying across the hall. "I trust you slept well?"
Kaido grunted appreciatively, taking his seat at the head of the massive table. "Well enough. What news?"
King stepped forward first, his black wings slightly shifting under his leather costume. "We've received reports from our informants in the World Government. There's been unusual movement among some previously unknown figures."
"Oh?" Kaido reached for the sake bottle that was already waiting for him. "Tell me more."
Queen adjusted his glasses again, his flamboyant purple hair bouncing slightly. "Several incidents have been reported where powerful individuals have been interfering with both Marine and Revolutionary Army operations. Their identities remain unknown."
"Worrisome," Black Maria commented, moving closer to Kaido's side. The scent of her perfume, a mixture of cherry blossoms and something more exotic, wafted through the air. "Should we be concerned?"
Kaido laughed, the sound echoing off the high ceiling with its elaborate carved beams. "Concerned? We are the Beast Pirates! Let them make their moves. Anyone who dares to challenge us will learn why I am called the Strongest Creature."
The other commanders nodded in agreement, though King maintained his cautious posture. "Nevertheless, we should increase our surveillance."
"Do as you wish," Kaido waved his hand dismissively, his attention drawn to Black Maria as she gracefully poured him another cup of sake. Her kimono sleeve fell back slightly, revealing a delicate wrist adorned with a golden bracelet.
"Your concern for our security is admirable," she said to King, while giving Kaido a sideways glance. "But our leader is right. Who could possibly threaten Onigashima?"
Kaido smirked, appreciating both her confidence and her subtle flattery. The morning light streaming through the high windows caught the ornaments in her hair, creating small rainbows that danced across her features.
"Speaking of security," Jack interjected, his gruff voice cutting through the moment, "has anyone seen Yamato this morning?"
The question caused Kaido to pause, sake cup halfway to his lips. Come to think of it, his troublesome daughter hadn't attempted to crash their morning meeting as she usually did, proclaiming herself to be Kozuki Oden for the hundredth time.
"Now that you mention it," Queen mused, "I haven't heard any explosions or fighting from her direction today."
Kaido's eyes narrowed. The relative peace of the morning suddenly felt less pleasant and more ominous. He set down his sake cup with enough force to crack the ceramic.
"Where is my daughter?" he demanded, rising to his full height. The other commanders instinctively stepped back, recognizing the dangerous shift in his mood.
"I'll check her quarters," King volunteered quickly, but Kaido was already striding toward the door, his massive form casting a shadow over everything in his path.
The walk to Yamato's cell was quick, his long strides eating up the distance as Beast Pirates scrambled out of his way. The corridor leading to her quarters was heavily fortified, with thick stone walls reinforced with sea prism stone. The door itself was a massive construction of steel and more sea prism stone, designed to contain her considerable strength.
Kaido pounded on the door with enough force to shake dust from the ceiling. "Yamato!"
Silence answered him.
With a growl of frustration, he drew back his fist and struck the door with enough force to shatter it inward. The metal screamed as it tore from its hinges, revealing the interior of Yamato's prison.
The room was empty.
Kaido stood in the doorway, taking in the scene before him. The furniture was undisturbed – the bed still made, books still arranged on the shelves, even the usual training equipment was in its place. But there was no sign of his daughter, and more importantly, no sign of struggle.
His eyes landed on her explosive cuffs, which lay broken on the floor near the bed. Next to them was a note, written in Yamato's bold handwriting: "Gone to be free. Don't try to follow."
Kaido's roar of rage shook the entire fortress. "SOUND THE ALARM! FIND HER!"
Within moments, the relative peace of the morning shattered as bells began to ring throughout Onigashima. Beast Pirates scrambled to begin the search, knowing the consequences of failure would be severe.
Black Maria appeared at his side, her previous flirtatious manner replaced with professional concern. "I'll have my women search the entertainment district. She couldn't have gone far with those cuffs."
"The cuffs are HERE!" Kaido snarled, pointing at the broken restraints. "Someone helped her remove them. Find out who!"
King appeared in the doorway, his mask hiding any expression but his tense posture conveying his concern. "I've already dispatched the Flying Six to search the main island. Queen is checking all the ports."
Kaido stood in the middle of the room, his massive form seeming to fill the space as his anger radiated outward in almost visible waves. His mind raced through the possibilities. The cuffs were specially designed – only a handful of people in Wano would have the knowledge to remove them without triggering their explosive components.
"When I find who helped her," he growled, "they will wish for death long before I grant it."
He moved to the window, pushing aside the heavy curtains to look out over his domain. Onigashima rose above the clouds, its skull visage casting a shadow over the sea below. In the distance, the mainland of Wano spread out like a patchwork of green and brown, surrounded by treacherous waters.
As he scanned the horizon, a terrible suspicion began to form in his mind. The timing was too perfect – the mysterious figures causing trouble for the World Government, the sudden disappearance of his daughter, the expertly removed cuffs.
"My Lord," Page One entered the room, slightly out of breath. "We've questioned the guards. No one saw her leave, but... there's something else."
"Speak!"
"One of our supply ships reported seeing a small vessel yesterday, just at the edge of our territory. They thought nothing of it at the time, but..."
Kaido's massive hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. "She's not in Wano anymore."
The realization hit him like a physical blow. His daughter, his rebellious, Oden-obsessed daughter, had somehow orchestrated an escape from right under his nose. Someone had helped her – someone powerful enough and skilled enough to infiltrate Onigashima, remove her cuffs, and spirit her away without raising any alarms.
His features contorted in rage, the veins in his neck standing out as he struggled to contain his fury. The dragon within him stirred, threatening to emerge and reduce everything around him to rubble.
"Find out which direction that ship was heading," he ordered through clenched teeth. "And bring me every intelligence report we have about these mysterious figures. Every. Single. One."
As his commanders rushed to comply with his orders, Kaido remained at the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon where his daughter had disappeared. The morning sun that had seemed so pleasant earlier now felt like it was mocking him, illuminating his failure to keep his own child contained.
He made a mental note that when – not if, but when – he found Yamato, she would wear not just one control collar, but two. Perhaps three. And whoever had helped her would suffer a fate worse than death.
The elaborate dragon tattoos that covered his arms seemed to writhe with his anger, their colors standing out starkly against his skin. His traditional kimono, already disheveled from his rush to Yamato's room, bore new tears from his barely contained rage.
Black Maria approached cautiously, her elegant kimono whispering against the floor. "Should I send word to our allies? They could help expand the search."
"No," Kaido growled, his pride still stinging. "This is a family matter. We will handle it ourselves."
"Double the patrols around Onigashima," he ordered. "Triple them around the mainland. I want every ship checked, every passenger questioned. No one enters or leaves Wano without my knowledge."
As his commanders dispersed to carry out his orders, Kaido's eyes fell on the broken cuffs again. His expression, already fearsome, darkened further. Someone had helped Yamato escape – someone with considerable skill and resources. Someone who had managed to infiltrate his fortress, bypass his security, and disappear without a trace.
The mystery of it gnawed at him, competing with his rage for dominance in his mind. Who would dare? Who would have both the ability and the audacity to steal from Kaido, one of the Four Emperors?
He looked out the window one final time, taking in the view of his domain. Somewhere out there, beyond the horizon, his daughter was sailing toward freedom. The thought made his blood boil.
"Yamato," he muttered, his voice carrying the promise of future retribution, "this act of rebellion will be your last."
Later
Kaido paced the great hall of Onigashima, his heavy footsteps echoing off the ornate walls. The massive space, usually filled with the sounds of revelry and drinking, was now a center of strategic planning. Maps were spread across the long table, weighted down with sake bottles and weapons.
"The search pattern will extend in all directions," King explained, tracing routes on the largest map with his gloved finger. "We've divided our forces into four fleets. Queen will lead the north quadrant, Jack the south, while I take the east."
"And I'll command the western fleet myself," Kaido growled, his eyes fixed on the carefully drawn shipping lanes. His purple kimono, adorned with golden dragon emblems, shifted as he leaned over the table. "Any ship capable of outrunning our patrols would need to stop for supplies within the first week."
Black Maria, seated nearby in her intricately patterned furisode depicting spider lilies and webs in silver thread, added, "I've activated all our information networks. If she makes landfall at any major port, we'll know."
Queen adjusted his glasses, the light glinting off his cybernetic enhancements. "We should consider the possibility that whoever helped her escape has a larger support network. They might have supply caches or safe houses prepared."
"Then we'll burn every safe house and sink every supply cache," Kaido declared, taking a long drink from his sake gourd. "If we have to turn over every rock in the New World, we will find her."
The Flying Six stood at attention along the walls, each ready to command their own subset of forces. Sasaki's green hair was tied back tightly, his usual casual demeanor replaced with focused attention. Who's Who's masked face revealed nothing, but his tail twitched with anticipation.
"My network of informants suggests checking the Revolutionary Army's known routes first," Black Maria offered, her long pipe releasing clouds of sweet-smelling smoke. "They're the most likely to have both the resources and motivation to attempt such a rescue."
Kaido nodded, appreciating her tactical thinking even as his rage simmered. "Deploy the Numbers along those routes. Their size will make any ship think twice about trying to slip past."
As the commanders continued discussing strategy, a Beast Pirate burst into the hall, breathing heavily. "Lord Kaido! Urgent news from the pursuit vessel!"
"Speak," Kaido commanded, his hand tightening around his kanabo.
"The ship we spotted... we caught up to it, but..." the pirate swallowed hard, "Yamato wasn't aboard. Never was. It was just a regular merchant vessel."
A heavy silence fell over the hall. Kaido's expression darkened, thunder rumbling outside despite the clear sky.
"What do you mean, she was never aboard?" he demanded, his voice dangerously low.
King stepped forward. "We've had guards at every port, every coastline. The sea itself is monitored by our forces. How could she have left the island without a ship?"
"Unless..." Black Maria's eyes widened slightly. "Unless she never used a ship at all."
Kaido's mind raced through the possibilities. His daughter, somehow vanishing from a heavily guarded cell, no signs of escape, no ship required...
"The book," he suddenly demanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Bring me the book of Devil Fruits. Now!"
Several pirates scrambled to comply, nearly colliding with each other in their haste to reach the fortress library. Minutes later, they returned carrying an ancient tome bound in dark leather, its pages yellowed with age.
Kaido snatched the book, his massive hands carefully turning the delicate pages. His eyes scanned entry after entry, searching for anything that might explain his daughter's impossible escape.
"There are fruits that grant transportation abilities," King noted, looking over Kaido's shoulder. "The Door-Door Fruit, the Warp-Warp Fruit..."
"But those users are all accounted for," Queen interrupted. "Unless..."
"Unless there's one we don't know about," Kaido finished, his eyes narrowing as he continued to search the pages. "Someone with a power we haven't seen before. Someone who can move between places without ships or paths."
Thunder rumbled again, closer this time, as Kaido's anger manifested in the very weather around Onigashima. The thought that someone had not only infiltrated his fortress but possessed such a powerful ability without his knowledge made his blood boil.
"Change of plans," he announced, slamming the book shut. "We're not just looking for Yamato anymore. We're looking for someone with the power to traverse space itself. Someone who can appear and disappear at will."
He turned to his commanders, his expression promising violence. "Find out everything you can about Devil Fruits related to transportation, teleportation, or spatial manipulation. Someone out there is powerful enough to enter Onigashima undetected and leave with my daughter. When I find them, they'll learn why I'm called the Strongest Creature."
Black Maria rose gracefully, her kimono rustling. "I'll have my network focus on any reports of unusual disappearances or appearances. If someone has such a power, they've likely used it before."
King stepped forward, his black leather outfit creaking slightly as he moved. "Lord Kaido, there might be another possibility. The Paw-Paw Fruit."
Queen turned sharply, his mechanical parts whirring. "The Nikyu Nikyu no Mi? But that's impossible. Its current user is Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords. He's under direct control of the World Government."
Kaido's massive hands found the relevant page in the ancient Devil Fruit book. His eyes narrowed as he read the description, the braziers' light casting dancing shadows across his face.
"'The Paw-Paw Fruit grants its user the ability to repel anything they touch,'" he read aloud, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "'With a single touch of their palm, they can send objects or people flying for three days and three nights, covering incredible distances...'" His grip tightened on the book, causing the ancient binding to creak dangerously.
Black Maria leaned forward, her ornate hairpins catching the light. "That would explain how Yamato disappeared without a trace. No ship needed – just a touch, and she could be anywhere in the world by now."
"But how?" Kaido slammed his fist on the table, causing sake cups to rattle. "How could Kuma have entered Wano undetected? Our borders are sealed. Our surveillance is absolute. Someone of his size – a man over twenty feet tall – would have been noticed!"
King crossed his arms. "Unless he used his power to transport himself here as well."
"Even so," Queen interjected, adjusting his glasses, "he would need to make physical contact with Yamato. Someone would have seen him in the fortress."
Kaido rose to his full height, his shadow looming over his commanders. "I want every person in Wano questioned. Every farmer, every merchant, every child. I want to know if anyone has seen a massive man in black, wearing a bible, with paw pads on his hands. Go back one month – no, two months. Leave no stone unturned."
Jack, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Should we focus on the areas around Onigashima first?"
"Everywhere!" Kaido roared. "The Flower Capital, Udon, Ringo, Hakumai, Kibi – every district, every village, every hiding place! Someone must have seen something!"
The commanders quickly dispersed, shouting orders to their subordinates. Within minutes, the Beast Pirates were mobilizing throughout Wano, breaking down doors and gathering citizens for questioning.
Kaido turned back to the book, studying the illustration of the Paw-Paw Fruit's powers. "A Warlord," he growled. "The World Government dares to interfere in my territory?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Or is there something else at play here?"
Black Maria remained by his side, her long pipe creating intricate smoke patterns in the air. "The timing is suspicious. First the reports of mysterious figures causing trouble for the World Government, and now this..."
"Find me everything we know about Bartholomew Kuma's recent movements," Kaido ordered. "Every sighting, every rumor. If he's truly responsible, I'll tear apart the World Government itself to get to him."
As his commanders carried out his orders, Kaido stared out over his domain, watching as groups of Beast Pirates spread across the country like ants, beginning their massive interrogation operation. The citizens of Wano would soon be questioned about a giant of a man with paw-printed hands – a man who, if he had indeed been here, had managed to pull off one of the most audacious infiltrations in history.
If Bartholomew Kuma had truly dared to enter his territory and steal his daughter, there wouldn't be a place in all the seas where he could hide. Kaido would remind the world why he was considered the strongest creature alive, and why crossing him was a death sentence.
"Yamato," he muttered, crushing a sake cup in his hand, "wherever you are, whoever helped you... this isn't over. Not by far."
Yamato
"Another plate of Sea King meat!" Yamato called out, raising her empty plate high in the air. Her table was already stacked with dozens of dirty dishes, creating a precarious tower that made nearby waiters nervous.
"Right away, miss!" the waiter replied, though his smile was becoming increasingly strained. He hurried to the kitchen, where the chef was working overtime to keep up with their unexpected customer's appetite.
A refined elderly couple at the next table watched in horror as Yamato grabbed a whole roasted fish with her hands and devoured it in three massive bites, bones and all.
"Harold, I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat quite like... that," the woman whispered behind her fan.
"Indeed, Margaret. Most unseemly," her husband responded, adjusting his monocle as Yamato slurped down an entire bowl of noodles in one go.
"This is amazing!" Yamato exclaimed between bites, bits of food flying from her mouth. "This food is incredible! The way you use the local seafood is genius!"
The elderly couple flinched as a piece of flying lettuce landed on their table.
A young man at the bar couldn't help but stare in amazement. "Is she even breathing between bites?"
"Hey, chef!" Yamato called out. "Your cooking reminds me of this amazing chef I met in Wano! Though he usually cooked with more... uh... what's the word... fire?"
The chef poked his head out of the kitchen, sweat dripping from his brow. "Glad you're enjoying it, miss, but perhaps you'd like to slow down a bit? We're running low on—"
"More meat!" Yamato interrupted, finishing another plate. "Oh, and some of that bubbly water stuff!"
"You mean... champagne?" the waiter asked weakly.
"Yeah, that! The fancy water that makes your nose tickle!"
After demolishing several more courses, Yamato finally leaned back in her chair, patting her satisfied stomach. She let out an enormous burp that rattled the windows and caused several pieces of silverware to vibrate off tables.
"BWUUUUUUURRRRRP!"
The elderly woman fainted dead away, her husband frantically fanning her with a menu.
"Margaret, dear! Speak to me!"
"Ahhhh, that was great!" Yamato stretched, oblivious to the chaos around her. She stood up, adjusting her horns. "Well, time to explore more of this amazing city!"
She was halfway to the door when the owner, a stout man with an impressive mustache, stepped in front of her. "Ahem, miss? Your bill?"
Yamato froze mid-step, one foot still in the air. "Bill?"
"Yes, the bill. For all the food you just consumed?" The owner held up a piece of paper that was so long it unrolled all the way to the floor.
"Oh... right! The bill! Because you have to pay for food in restaurants!" Yamato's face went from its usual confident expression to something resembling a ghost. "I, uh... just need to check my..."
She frantically patted her pockets, turning them inside out. A single fly emerged, buzzed around her head once, and flew away.
"That's... not good," Yamato muttered.
The owner's mustache twitched dangerously. "Miss, do you mean to tell me you have no money?"
"Well, funny story actually..." Yamato scratched the back of her head, laughing nervously. "You see, where I come from, I didn't really need to pay for things, being the daughter of Kai—" She stopped herself just in time. "I mean, being who I am..."
"Being who you are?" the owner's face was turning an impressive shade of red. "And who exactly are you?"
"I'm Yamato! And I'm having an adventure!" She declared proudly, as if this explained everything.
"That's not a payment method we accept!"
"Would you accept an IOU written on a napkin?"
"NO!"
"How about a demonstration of my amazing strength?"
"We accept cash or credit only!"
"What if I wash dishes?"
The owner looked at the mountain of dishes she'd created. "You'd be here for months!"
"Months?" Yamato's eyes widened. "But I want to explore! There's so much to see! Like that weird train that runs on water!"
"Then you should have thought about that before eating half our inventory!" The owner was practically steaming now. "Guards! Someone call the—"
But Yamato was already moving, her incredible speed leaving nothing but a dust cloud in her shape.
"Sorry-thank-you-for-the-food-it-was-delicious-bye!" Her words blurred together as she zoomed out the door.
"STOP HER!" the owner screamed, but Yamato was already halfway down the street, weaving between the water fountains and canals that made Water Seven famous.
"Come back here, you... you... FREELOADER!"
"Wow, this city really is amazing!" Yamato called back, leaping over a gondola. "The architecture is incredible! Oh look, a sea train!"
The owner's enraged screams faded into the distance as Yamato bounded through the city, occasionally stopping to admire a building or wave at surprised citizens before remembering she was supposed to be escaping.
"Note to self," Yamato muttered from her hiding spot in the alley, "I should probably figure out how normal people handle this whole 'paying for food' thing..."
She peeked around the corner, watching the citizens of Water Seven go about their business. Everything here was so different from Wano – the architecture, the clothes, the way people moved freely without fear. And those weird water-powered lifts! She'd never seen anything like them.
The wanted poster in her hand fluttered in the breeze. "DINE AND DASH DEMON" stared back at her mockingly. "Well, that was fast," she chuckled nervously. "Though I suppose it's better than 'Kaido's Daughter'..."
Her stomach growled again, but she ignored it this time. Patting her empty pockets, she sighed. "I really should have thought this through better. Actually..." She furrowed her brow. "How did I even get here?"
Leaning against the wall, Yamato tried to piece together her memories. One moment she had been in her cell in Onigashima, and the next... she was just... here. In Water Seven. No ship, no explanation, not even a proper goodbye punch to her father's face.
"Father must be absolutely livid right now," she mused, imagining Kaido's reaction. "He's probably turning the New World upside down looking for me. Knowing him, he's probably accused half the pirates in the sea of kidnapping me by now."
A group of people walked by the alley, discussing the latest news.
"Did you hear? They say Kaido of the Beasts is in a complete rampage!"
"Yeah, something about his kid disappearing..."
"I heard he's threatening to destroy any island that might be hiding them..."
Yamato slumped further into the shadows. "Yep, that sounds like him."
She looked down at her clothes, realizing she stuck out like a sore thumb in this city. Her traditional outfit and horns weren't exactly inconspicuous. "Maybe I should try to blend in better... if I had any money for new clothes. Which I don't. Because I don't know how money works."
Her stomach growled again, louder this time.
"Oh, be quiet, you," she poked her belly. "This is partly your fault. We could have asked how payment worked BEFORE eating everything in sight."
Her stomach growled one more time, even louder.
"I said be quiet! Don't make me remind you about the incident with the old lady who fainted! That was embarrassing enough the first time!"
From somewhere in the distance, she could still hear the restaurant owner's voice: "Find that freeloader! She ate three weeks' worth of inventory!"
"Right," Yamato nodded to herself. "Time to explore the city... from the rooftops... far away from angry restaurant owners... and figure out exactly how I ended up in this mess."
She leaped up, grabbing a drainpipe and scaling it with ease. "On the bright side, at least I'm finally having an adventure! Even if it's more of a 'running from angry creditors' adventure than I imagined..."
"I wonder if the next restaurant takes payment in wanted posters..."
If you want to Read 9 More Chapters Right Now. Search 'Patreon.com/Drinor' on Websearch